Clinical Training Program

Clinical Training Program for Students

ACCESS is recognized as a clinical training program for law and graduate student interns.  Students assist immigrant victims of domestic violence under the Violence Against Women Act.  Specifically, students help :

  • Prepare self-petitions, employment authorization applications, adjustment of status (green card) applications, and petitions to remove conditions on residency based on domestic violence;
  • Conduct legal research as needed;
  • File applications with USCIS (formerly INS); and accompany clients to appointments.

Bilingual skills, especially Spanish, helpful but not necessary. Students who can devote at least 10 hours a week for one quarter, will work on an average of six cases which will require intense client interaction and creative problem solving skills to obtain the details and documents necessary to complete each case.

Knowledge of the dynamics of domestic violence[1] and the resources and protections available to victims, particularly immigrant victims, will greatly enhance your ability to represent that victim in the safest and most effective way possible.

Working with ACCESS has been a great experience. Learning about the Violence Against Women Act and how it has directly affected so many women has taught me that there are tools for women to use, but that sometimes, there needs to be people who are willing to help them use them properly. I believe that the aim of the law is tremendous and what ACCESS is doing is admirable.    (Submitted by 2nd year student from California Western School of Law)

One of my primary objectives in pursuing an internship at ACCESS, Inc. was to gain experience in interacting with clients.This internship has far exceeded my expectation of time spent with clients therefore greatly improving my client interviewing skills. This internship program at ACCESS focuses heavily on meeting with clients both in the office and at our legal clinics throughout San Diego County. These experiences allowed me to learn how to collect information while maintaining sensitivity to the fact that our clients are victims of domestic violence.Working for a non-profit organization has allowed me to fulfill my desire to serve the needs of the San Diego community as immigration issues are inherent to a border city.
(Submitted by 3rd year law student from University of San Diego School of Law)

[1] For further information, see Immigrant Power and Control Wheel produced by the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence:  Immigrant Power and Control Wheel. For information on barriers faced by immigrant victims, see the section on Immigrant Women from the Family Violence Prevention Fund website, at :  www.endabuse.org.